On July 31st, Valley Youth House and other youth-focused organizations gathered at The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center in Philadelphia to present testimony to Philadelphia City Council’s Education Committee during a public hearing hosted by Councilman Isaiah Thomas. The hearing’s primary focus was a critical and often overlooked issue: the rising number of students experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. 

The statistics are staggering. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), a total of 8,363 children and youth were identified as homeless during the 2021-2022 school year. This represents a significant increase from previous years, and experts predict that the number will surpass 10,000 in the upcoming school year. With an estimated student population of 200,000, that means nearly 5% of the student population will face housing insecurity. These figures highlight an urgent need for increased awareness and advocacy for funding to support these vulnerable students. 

Alyssa Weinfurtner, Director of Philadelphia Emergency Services at Valley Youth House, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “Today, there are more than 8,000 students without housing in our city, struggling to go to school and learn despite not having a home of their own,” she stated. While the School District of Philadelphia has been able to provide some support through the American Rescue Plan and the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program, Weinfurtner warned that this aid will run out on January 31, 2025. With evictions continuing to rise post-pandemic and affordable housing options scarce, she stressed that there are currently no plans to address this looming shortfall in the proposed 2024-2025 budget. 

Valley Youth House has continuously been at the forefront of efforts to support Philadelphia’s homeless youth. In 2015, we launched The Synergy Project, a street outreach program funded by the Family and Youth Services Bureau, to connect with and assist the city’s most vulnerable young people. By 2018, we had established Philadelphia’s first Youth Designated Access Point, a critical resource that now helps over 1,200 young people each year navigate the homeless services system and work toward a stable future. And in 2023 we established our “Synergy in Schools” program, a partnership with the School District of Philadelphia which provides additional counseling services in schools to identify signs of student homelessness. 

In addition to these initiatives, we also manage the Achieving Independence Center in a collaborative partnership with the Department of Human Services (DHS). This center serves over 1,000 young adults each year, providing life skills training, financial literacy, education and career counseling, reproductive health support, and community resources. This center specifically supports Philadelphia-based youth with a history of involvement with DHS or foster care, both of which are significant risk factors for homelessness. Our housing program also offers transitional and rapid rehousing services, providing shelter for over 200 young people each night. 

Valley Youth House values the importance of including youth in housing-solution conversations, and supported three youth members in sharing their personal testimonies of experiencing homelessness while being students in the Philadelphia School District. Their testimony was deeply moving and powerful.  One youth, Kymirah, shared that  she had slept on the roof of her school, too ashamed to reveal her situation to her peers or confide in school counselors. Others recounted nights spent in parks, movie theaters, public restrooms, and on public transportation. These stories serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by homeless youth and the dire need for continued support and resources. 

Through programs like Valley Youth House’s “Synergy for Schools” initiative, students like Kymirah are able to find help. She shared in her tearful testimony, “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Valley Youth House”, stating that she wishes “every school had Synergy in Schools”. In order to provide these services, we need continued advocacy and investment in our mission.

Alyssa Weinfurtner along with Shani Meacham, Senior Vice President of Programs at Valley Youth House, highlighted the importance of continued investment in youth and student homelessness. “While we continue to make strides in serving thousands of youth per year, we know our work is not yet done. Our work has shown that a return on an investment in youth and student homelessness is stably housed families and less risk of these students experiencing chronic homelessness as adults,” they said in their joint testimony. 

Valley Youth House operates with a “no wrong door” approach, ensuring that young people can seamlessly access the vital resources they need through a comprehensive network of services and community partnerships. Over the past decade, our Housing and Emergency Services Departments in Philadelphia have grown significantly, filling critical gaps in services for homeless youth and making a profound impact on the lives of those they serve. 

As the number of homeless students in Philadelphia continues to rise, it is crucial that city leaders and the community at large take decisive action. Increased funding, expanded services, and a renewed commitment to supporting these young people are essential to ensuring that they have the opportunity to thrive and build a brighter future. Valley Youth House stands ready to continue its work, but they cannot do it alone. The time for action is now.

If you would like to take action to support Philadelphia students experiencing homelessness, please visit ValleyYouthHouse.org/Donate